Lobelia plant named &#39;lobetis&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new Lobelia plant particularly distinguished by its upright compact round plant habit, large flower size and blue and white eye flower color.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0001] ‘Lobetis’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0002] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofLobelia plant, botantially known as Lobelia erinus. InterspecificLobelia plant resulted from a cross between Lobelia erinus and Lobeliavalida.

[0003] The new cultivar is propagated by cuttings resulting from thecross of Lobelia erinus ‘P140’ and Lobelia valida ‘Y694.’ ‘P140’ is ablue and white eye flower color selection of our own breeding, having astrong growth and a compact spreading plant habit. ‘Y694’ is a blue andwhite eye flower color cultivar in Lobelia valida. Neither ‘P140’ nor‘Y694’ has been patented.

[0004] As a result of this cross, the present cultivar was created in1999 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatably asexuallyreproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands over a three-yearperiod. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristicsthrough successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmlyfixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0005] This new Lobelia plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plantin full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

[0006] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Lobelia plant. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 12 weeks oldplants. Color references are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London. Comparison between the newcultivar ‘Lobetis’ and a similar cultivar ‘Lobetis’ ‘Blue Star’ Plantheight 20 cm 10 cm Plant width 25 cm 35 cm Plant shape Upright SpreadingFlower color Upper surface 99B  95B Lower surface 97A 100A Flower tube99C  95C

[0007] The plant:

[0008]Classification.—Botanical: Lobelia erinus.

[0009] Parentage:

[0010]Female parent.—A seedling named ‘P140’ is one of our seedings fromour P-generation of plants bred in 1989.

[0011]Male parent.—Asexual propagated ‘Y694’ is a commercial notpatented variety.

[0012] Plant description:

[0013]Growth habit.—Upright.

[0014]Plant height:—20 cm.

[0015]Speading area of plant.—25 cm.

[0016]Growth rate.—Moderate growth.

[0017]Strength.—Good.

[0018]Branching character.—Freely branching and lateral branching atevery node. Pinching will enhance branching. Branches strong andflexible.

[0019]Blooming period.—From May until October.

[0020] The stem:

[0021]Diameter.—1.5 mm.

[0022]Texture.—Smooth, slightly pubescent, glossy.

[0023]Color:—RHS 138B.

[0024]Length of internode.—13 mm, depending on the light conditionswhere the plant is propagated.

[0025]Shape.—(Tri)angular.

[0026] The foliage:

[0027]Shape.—Leaves simple, generally symmetrical and flat. Broadlyovate with rounded apex, obtuse to attenuate base and crenate margin.

[0028]Texture.—Slightly pubescent, glossy.

[0029]Length.—Young 30 mm, fully expanded 55 mm.

[0030]Width.—Young 10 mm, fully expanded 23 mm.

[0031]Color.—Upper side: RHS 147A — Lower side: RHS 137B.

[0032] The flower:

[0033]Type and habit.—Flowers form at apical axils, usually one flowerper axil. Flowers labiate, upper lip consisting of two small petals andlower lip consisting of three larger and broader petals. Petals arefused at base into a tube. Freely and continuously flowering. Flowersface outward. Flowers persistent. Texture, slightly pubescent. Oblongshape with acute apex and entire margin.

[0034]Flower.—Width: Upper petals 3 mm, lower petals 8 mm — Length Upperpetals 6 mm, lower petals 12 mm — Depth 8 mm.

[0035]Texture.—Smooth, pubescent.

[0036]Buds.—Length: 8 mm — Diameter: 3 mm — Form: Tubular — Color: Lightgreen.

[0037]Flower color.—Upper surface: RHS 99B — Lower surface: RHS 97A —Flower tube: RHS 99C.

[0038]Sepals.—No. of sepals: 5 — Length: 7 mm — Width: 1 mm — Texture:Smooth, slightly pubescent — Color: RHS 147A.

[0039]Flower stem.—Length: 30 mm — Angle: Upright — Strength: Rigid,flexible — Color: RHS 138B.

[0040]Flower throat.—Color: Upper RHS 100C Lower white background, bluespots RHS 99B — Texture: Whiskered.

[0041] Reproductive organs:

[0042]Androecium.—Stamen number: 5 — Anther shape: Oblong — Antherlength: 2 mm — Pollen color: RHS 202B — Amount of pollen: Moderate.

[0043]Gynoecium.—Pistil length: 9 mm — Stigma shape: Bilobate — Stigmadiameter: 1 mm — Stigma color: N87A — Style color: Light green — Ovarycolor: RHS 138B.

[0044] Seed development: Some seed development has been observed onplants of the new Lobelia.

[0045] Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, plants of thenew Lobelia are resistant to fungal pathogens common to Lobelia.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lobelia plant,substantially as illustrated and described herein.